BAL Immigration Report

The U.S. lifts its COVID testing requirement on travel from China. The H-1B cap registration window is about to close. And a look at the challenges foreign student athletes face monetizing their name, image and likeness. We cover all this and more on this week’s BAL Immigration Report. Guests: Gabriel Castro and Tiffany Derentz. BAL white paper on NCAA NIL rules: https://www.bal.com/global-trend/the-ncaas-name-image-likeness-rules-effects-on-international-student-athletes/  

Premium processing is extended to some Optional Practical Training applicants. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services reaches the H-2B cap. And how will the end of the COVID-19 emergencies impact immigration processes? We cover all this and more on this week’s BAL Immigration Report. Guest: Kelli Duehning. BAL H-2 webinar: www.bal.com/bal-events/h-2bs-where-we-are-now/ Outlook 2023: The U.S. Immigration Landscape: www.bal.com/global-trend/outlook-2023-the-u-s-immigration-landscape  

Signs point to another high-volume H-1B cap year.  The H-1B denial rate hits an all-time low. And digital nomad visas grow in popularity around the world. We cover all this and more on this week’s BAL Immigration Report. Guests: Steve Plastrik, Jonathan Nagel, Diem Ngo

The Department of Homeland Security extends the comment period on USCIS fees. The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals agrees to rehear a key Temporary Protected Status case. And the State Department plans to resume domestic visa renewals. We cover all this and more on this week’s BAL Immigration Report. Guest: Tiffany Derentz.

The U.S. will reconsider nonimmigrant visa applications denied under Trump-era travel bans. Prospective H-1B petitioners can open new myUSCIS accounts Tuesday, Feb. 21. And what the National Basketball Association can tell us about the importance of hiring the best talent in the world. We cover all this and more on this week’s BAL Immigration Report. Guest: Gabriel Castro.

With several factors pointing toward another high-volume cap season, planning for H-1B alternatives is as important as ever — especially for employees whose work authorization is running out. Plus: updates on OPT litigation, the U.S. Secretary of Labor and more.  Guest: BAL Partner Ruth Clark. 

The H-1B registration window opens March 1. The State Department is issuing more U.S. visas. And an inside look at the litigation challenging USCIS processing delays. We cover all this and more on this week’s BAL Immigration Report. Guests: Jeff Joseph, Jesse Bless. 

H-4 and L-2 visa applicants score a major victory. The State Department creates a program for Americans to privately sponsor refugees. And PERM audits are on the rise. We cover all this and more on this week’s BAL Immigration Report. Guest: Josiah Curtis.  BAL’s USCIS Fee Calculator is available here: www.bal.com/resources/2023-uscis-fee-calculator

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announces a new phase of its premium processing expansion. The Department of Homeland Security streamlines deferred action requests for noncitizens who witness labor violations. And additional H-2B visas offer new opportunities for employers. We cover all this and more on this week’s BAL Immigration Report. Guest: Ashley Foret Dees. For information on BAL’s webinar on the proposed USCIS fee hikes, visit bal.com/events. For information on H-2B visas, visit afdees.com.

President Biden announces a new entry process for Cuban, Haitian and Nicaraguan nationals. The Department of Homeland Security extends a COVID vaccination requirement. And recent layoffs pose a particular challenge for nonimmigrant visa holders. We cover all this and more on this week's BAL Immigration Report.  Guest: Carla Tarazi.